Mayor Parker wants Kensington to know "help is on the way"

During the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayoral Luncheon last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker voiced her support for 7th District Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada and offered attendees another glimpse into her plans for Kensington.

At the Feb. 28 event, Parker said that three top city officials, including Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Public Safety Director Adam Geer, and Managing Director Adam Thiel, are developing a comprehensive plan to tackle public safety and public health in Philadelphia, which they will share on her 100th day.

“Managing Director Thiel has a tall order,” Parker said. “He is right now in the process of developing options and funding sources that will help to provide long-term care, treatment, and housing for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Parker called on public health leaders from Penn, Jefferson, and Temple “to be a part of the nucleus of making this happen.”

Regarding her plans to “enforce the law” in Kensington, she said she “caught some hell” and wants to send a message to those who think her approach “lacks compassion.”

“I want you to know that the status quo for me and Kensington is unacceptable,” she said. “That help is on the way.”

She said she will design and execute her plans for Kensington “with the voices and hopes of the people who actually live in Kensington on our minds first.”

“We will not allow the voices of the homegrown people – who can’t afford to pick up and leave and move because they don’t have the financial wherewithal to do so – we will not allow anyone to reduce their voices because they want children to live a higher quality of life,” Parker said. “They deserve it, and we’re going to work hard for it.”

Parker’s 100th day in office will be April 11, 2024.

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